Toronto’s Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb is namechecked as the boutique to beat in the litigation community. “They are still the best, although this is old news by now,” declares one peer. Another mentions, “Lax has taken the opposite approach of many other boutiques. They have stayed small, and I think it has benefited them.” Still another peer voices the observation, “Lax just has so much horsepower, and I think they’re in growth mode, which they should be because they just attract so much work.” The alluded-to “horsepower” is demonstrated through the sheer number of partners at the firm acknowledged as Benchmark stars, from seasoned partners through to those at the “next-generation” vintage.
Representing the latter group, Rahool Agarwal was counsel to the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and its president in a claim relating to the governance of the Métis National Council, the former national government of the Métis Nation. The action arose from a highly contentious, years-long dispute over Métis identity. The identity dispute caused a governance stalemate at the Council and led to the eventual departure of the MMF and several members of the administration in 2021. Shortly after taking control of the MNC, the incoming administration launched the action against the prior administration, alleging that they engaged in self-dealing and breached their fiduciary duties by implanting “scorched earth” conspiracy to harm the Council. In November 2025, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed the plaintiff’s claim in its entirety. “This is a huge win in a huge case,” insists a peer. At the more senior level,
Jonathan Lisus is a unanimous mention on an annual basis. One peer offers the definitive accolade: “There are three lawyers, if I had to pick 3 – IN THE COUNTRY! – where I would say ‘Is he a lawyer or is he a
real lawyer?’ The ones who are in a class by themselves and percolate right to the top, Jon Lisus would be one of them.” Lisus, along with
Danielle Glatt, triumphed on behalf of Quadrangle, the plaintiff in a licensing dispute concerning the wireless industry, when, in August 2025, the Superior Court of Justice, Commercial List, awarded approximately $555 million plus prejudgment interest to the client for negligent misrepresentation. Matthew Gottlieb is called “so tenacious” by peers, one of whom declares, “He sees the big picture and really does go after things with a tenacity that is quite unbelievable. It’s intense!” Gottlieb’s insolvency acumen is specifically commented on by a peer in this capacity, who quips, “If you ever need a pit bull on a file, you give to Matt. If you want a hammer, he’s the hammer – he’s not a restructuring deal guy, he is a trench fighter! I’m very impressed that a guy at his level still reads everything – he’s very thorough and hands-on.”
Gottlieb, along with Andrew Winton, represented KingSett Capital, a landlord to multiple Hudson’s Bay Company stores, in the complex CCAA proceeding involving Canada’s oldest retailer. In particular, the firm successfully opposed Hudson Bay’s motion to assign leases, including a KingSett lease, to an unproven retailer, the flamboyant Ruby Liu. Another peer advises, “Look more into
Paul Fruitman – he was really good on his feet in court. I went up to him after a case and said, ‘Wow, your argument was really good, and the way you tied this together with the issues Jon [Lisus] pled was really impressive.’”
